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Neurological dysfunction expressed in the grooming behavior of developing weaver mutant mice
1Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract:
The present study provides the first quantitative developmental analysis of movement in the weaver (wv/wv) mutant mouse. This autosomal recessive mutation affects both striatal and cerebellar circuitries that are related to motor performance. We report data on post-swim grooming behavior in 14 mutant and 14 control animals on alternate postnatal Days 13-20. Mutant animals showed a greater number, but shorter duration, of grooming bouts across this developmental period. The mutant animals also used external support during grooming, expressed various forms of ataxia, performed a higher proportion of smaller forelimb strokes than did the control animals, and failed to complete as many full stereotypic grooming sequences. These differences between mutant and control animals followed distinctive developmental courses. Our data demonstrate that previous anatomical and physiological characterizations of the weaver mutation have overt motor correlates.
Insights
The weaver (wv/wv) mouse mutant exhibits developmental motor deficits, including altered grooming patterns and ataxia. This study quantifies these movement abnormalities in weaver mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The weaver (wv/wv) mutation is an autosomal recessive mutation impacting motor performance.
- Striatal and cerebellar circuitries are known to be affected by this mutation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first quantitative developmental analysis of movement in weaver (wv/wv) mutant mice.
- To investigate the motor correlates of the weaver mutation.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of post-swim grooming behavior.
- Comparison of 14 mutant (wv/wv) and 14 control mice.
- Data collected on alternate postnatal Days 13-20.
Main Results:
- Mutant mice displayed more frequent but shorter grooming bouts.
- Weaver mice used external support, showed ataxia, and performed smaller forelimb strokes.
- Mutant animals failed to complete stereotypic grooming sequences as often as controls.
Conclusions:
- The weaver mutation causes significant, quantifiable motor deficits during development.
- Observed motor abnormalities correlate with known anatomical and physiological changes in weaver mice.